JUB Holland

JUB Holland is a real family business from Noordwijkerhout founded in 1910 that has since then grown into an internationally operating flower bulb company. Meanwhile, the management is formed by the fourth generation of the Uittenbogaard family. Partly because of the special place that JUB Holland occupies in the region and sector, the company was awarded the royal warrant during the celebration of its 100th anniversary.

JUB Holland is one of the few companies in the sector to master all aspects of the flower bulb trade, from the breeding of tulips to the growing of flower bulbs, the cultivation of cut tulips and the trading of flower bulbs for retail and landscaping. This way, the entire chain from cultivation to delivery is transparent, which guarantees complete controllability and optimum quality. Varieties of bulbs not grown at JUB Holland’s own nursery are purchased by JUB Holland from well-known suppliers.

Partly because of this wide range of activities in the chain, as well as our social involvement by giving bulbs a place in society, JUB Holland became the proud winner of the Horticultural Entrepreneur Award in January 2017, a prestigious prize in the horticultural sector.

JUB Holland is a member of Stichting Keurmerk Bloembollen Holland (SKBH – Dutch Foundation for the Certification of Flower Bulbs), the hallmark that stands for the best quality flower bulbs and can be recognised by the logo on the packaging. The inspection authority regularly inspects JUB (unannounced) for measures, diseases, pests and species authenticity, among other things. Samples are taken which are evaluated during flowering for their vigour in terms of growth and flowering. With the purchase of flower bulbs you buy a 100% guarantee of flowers and if despite all efforts the flowering is disappointing, you can inform SKBH so we can resolve your complaint to your satisfaction.

Sustainability

In 2017, JUB Holland and 16 other bulb trading companies signed a manifesto setting out their ambitions in terms of sustainability and quality. The signatories have united in a platform to ensure that (I) the purchased and traded flower bulbs and perennials are produced and processed sustainably, (II) the quality of the products to be purchased and traded is safeguarded and (III) sustainability and quality are a constant concern in the business operations of the participating companies.

JUB Holland attaches a great importance to sustainability and the environment. The environment, as well as the health, safety and welfare of our employees, form an integral part of JUB Holland’s business operations. Roughly speaking, JUB Holland distinguishes five themes in the field of environmental policy: (I) Energy, (II) Waste, (III) Water, (IV) Crop protection and (V) Nature management.

Energy

JUB Holland uses 100% green electricity and is always looking for ways to reduce energy consumption and to achieve the highest possible efficiency from the energy that is used. That is why we use heat exchangers in our cooling systems, in which the heat that is released is used to heat storage cells and workplaces (via underfloor heating). In order to avoid unnecessary energy consumption, the temperature and humidity in the storage cells and workplaces are regulated and controlled by climate computers. The outer walls and roofs of the modern business premises are also fully insulated and the greenhouses are equipped with screen cloths and hoisting heaters to make optimal use of the heat for the crops and to prevent heat emissions. JUB Holland aims to invest annually in energy-saving measures. Last year, for example, the company’s workspaces were fitted with LED lighting.

Waste

JUB continuously investigates the possibilities to reduce the waste it produces and to deliver it separately to the waste processor for recycling. Our waste processor is located close to home with less mileage and CO2 emissions as a result. Various waste streams are currently being identified, including wood, plastic, paper, cardboard, residual and organic waste. The organic waste from our cut tulip cultivation is offered for fermentation and converted into biogas. At the nursery, the waste generated by ‘bulb-peeling’ after processing is spread over the land as compost in the autumn.

Water

Our cut tulips are grown in greenhouses with concrete floors on potting soil in boxes. This crop uses spring water, the quantity of which is precisely matched to the needs of the tulips in order to avoid unnecessary watering. Excess water that is not absorbed by the crop when the bulbs first enter the greenhouse (from the storage cell) is collected and reused. Since we have deliberately not laid any wells in the floors, the excess water in the greenhouses evaporates, so that when our cut tulips are grown, they the water is not discharged into surface water or sewers.

Crop protection

For JUB Holland, sustainability also means trying to grow the bulbs and cut flowers with as few crop protection agents as possible. That is why JUB Holland took the initiative in 2015 to develop a PlanetProof certificate for the cultivation of flower bulbs. PlanetProof stands for guaranteed sustainable quality, in which the products are grown with respect for people, nature and the environment. The requirements set for crop protection products are stricter than the legally permitted standards and the certificate meets the ‘Environmental criteria for the socially responsible procurement of Green Facilities’ for governments. Since 2016, PlanetProof bulbs grown by JUB Holland have been certified, making JUB Holland one of the first growers in the Netherlands to have obtained the certificate. Following on from this, a PlanetProof certificate has also been developed for the cultivation of cut flowers and JUB Holland has been the first company to offer PlanetProof cut flowers since February 2018.

JUB Holland is also SKAL -certified and is therefore able to supply organic flower bulbs, recognizable by the SKAL logo on the packaging. JUB Holland can supply a wide range of organic flower bulbs from reliable organic growers (who are also SKAL certified). SKAL is committed to the demonstrable reliability of organic products in the Netherlands.

Nature Conservation

JUB Holland is involved in the Agricultural Nature and Landscape Association Geestgrond in order to preserve and strengthen the nature and landscape of the bulb-growing region. JUB Holland has created various nature and landscape elements around the business premises by planting local greenery. Also, a nature-friendly ditch side has been realized and we have installed nesting boxes. These elements offer foraging and nesting facilities for small birds. Every year we sow a parcel of grain as a field of winter food for the protection of partridges and meadow birds. In addition to these elements, our bees and butterflies attracting flower bulb mixtures for diversification contribute to increasing biodiversity in the Netherlands.

Crop Protection Agents Kg Active Ingredient:

Provides insight into the use of plant protection products. Red stands for substances with a high environmental impact, orange for substances with a low impact on the environment, green for substances with a low impact on the environment (Source MPS-A).

Energy (GJ):

Provides insight into the use of the amount of energy. (Source MPS-A)

Fertilizers (KG) Nitrogen and Phosphorus Consumption:

Provides insight into the use of Nitrogen and Phosphorus. (Source MPS-A)

People

On average, JUB Holland employees have worked for the company for more than 15 years and are considered part of the family. Currently 32 permanent employees are employed by the company who are joined by some 25-40 flexible employees during the high season. The flexible employees are only hired from temporary employment agencies that are certified for this purpose. The Collective Labour Agreement for the Wholesale of Flower Bulbs, which is also followed by the temporary employment agencies, applies to the employment conditions of all employees. The flexible employees generally have worked for the company for many years, come back every year and are now regarded as permanent employees. In addition, JUB Holland is a recognised training company and usually employs a number of trainees. Naturally, employees are offered the opportunity to follow courses, both technically and in terms of personal development.

Health

Did you know that flowers and plants have a healthy effect on people?

Plants provide air purification..
People breathe in air, take out oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. In the case of plants it is the other way around. During photosynthesis, plants remove carbon dioxide from the air and convert it back into oxygen. The amount of oxygen in the air is increased by the presence of plants, which makes breathing easier.
Air-purifying plants can absorb harmful substances from the air through their leaves. These harmful substances are then stored and broken down in the plant’s roots. These plants can also break down dirty odours, so they are actually natural air fresheners.
For the sake of clarity, every (indoor) plant produces oxygen, but not every plant also purifies the air. Air-purifying plants are e.g. the Spathiphyllum, Calathea, Hedera helix (ivy), Areca palm and the Ficus. For many plants we do not yet know to what extent they have an air purifying effect since they have not yet been tested.

Plants ensure a better concentration and a reduction of stress.
Plants create a relaxed and better atmosphere, also at work.. Plants make the workplace a more pleasant place to work.
Apparently there is even a relationship between the presence of plants and the productivity of employees.
Moreover, the presence of plants has a positive effect on the creativity and concentration of people.

Plants reduce the dryness of the air
The dust content and humidity in the house are strongly related with each other. The dryer the air, the more dust. This can cause symptoms such as a tickling cough, dry skin, headaches and irritated eyes. By watering plants, it finally evaporates again through the stomata in the leaves. Plants can thus increase the humidity of the air, which therefore benefits the air quality.

Plants provide a pleasant and warm feelingResearch has shown that plants are good for people in various (subtle) ways. They play an essential role in creating a pleasant, natural and quiet environment in which to move, work and/or relax.

Did you know that flowers too have a healthy effect on people?Flowers can brighten up any room in a magical way. They give meaning to our emotions such as love, joy, comfort, compassion and sorrow. Flowers provide a relaxing effect on our constitution. They provide positive energy in the home and a warm feeling. In short, everyone is just very happy about that!

Care

bulbs:

Innovation

The Dutch greenhouse horticulture sector is worldwide renowned for its innovative power. In order to be one step ahead of the competition from other parts of the world, people are constantly looking for better efficiency in the use of raw materials and space. This, of course, without compromising the (top) quality of the Dutch product.

The glasshouse horticulture sector in the Netherlands can cope with this rapid pace of innovation thanks to a strong relationship between research and practice. In addition, a great deal of knowledge is exchanged between the entrepreneurs in order to make progress together. The flower auctions are a good example of this as one of the largest cooperatives in the world.
Below we describe a few examples of this innovative power.

Biological control and integrated pest management
In order to minimise the use of pesticides and to find a better balance between parasites and their natural enemies, natural enemies of the parasites are used in the greenhouses. Thanks to the intensive exchange of knowledge between the growers and their suppliers, growers are increasingly able to produce a top quality product with organic solutions.

Combined heat and power (CHP)
Combined heat and power (CHP) is a large engine, originating from the shipping industry. Only it has been converted to run on natural gas. The efficiency of this motor is higher than traditional gas boilers. These engines drive a generator that generates electricity. This electricity is used in the company’s own nursery or is supplied back to the public electricity grid. The ‘residual heat’ produced by the engine is used to heat the greenhouses. After cleaning, the exhaust gases can be used to provide the plants with CO2. All in all, these motors provide an efficiency that can be up to 20% higher than the traditional method of heating (gas boilers).

Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is used for this type of energy. A drilling tower is used to drill a well to a depth of 2-3 km. At this depth, water of more than 80 degrees can be ‘collected’. This heat is used to heat the greenhouses and then the cooled water is returned to the soil via a second source. It is expected that these sources will be able to continue to produce sufficient heat, even longer than the life of a greenhouse.

Drilling the well is an enormously expensive investment. In addition, there is a great risk that the drilling will ‘fail’. By working together with each other and with governments, in the Netherlands we are able to gain experience with this way of heating greenhouses sustainably.

Water purification
Plants need water and nutrients to grow. More and more nurseries are making use of the reuse of drainage water. This is water that is collected before it disappears into the subsoil. This ‘drainage water’ still contains many nutrients that can be used by the plants.
By reusing this water and mixing it with clean water, less fertilizer is used.
However, the drainage water also contains some ‘wrong substances’. The content of these wrong substances determines how much water can be reused. The application of new techniques creates opportunities to filter these ‘wrong substances’ out of the water.

Diffuse glass
In new constructions, more and more growers are opting to cover their greenhouses with diffuse glass. Diffuse glass ensures that light is distributed much more evenly across the crop without any shade or light spots. This leads to a more even greenhouse climate.
Temperature and humidity can thus be controlled more accurately, which means, for example, that the opening of the air windows can be limited, which leads to lower CO2 emissions.

LED lighting in greenhouse horticulture
A new innovation in horticulture is the use of LED lighting. This lighting is not comparable with LED lighting used in consumer use. In the horticultural sector, the lighting is produced by ‘power LEDs’ and therefore much higher. The major advantage of these ‘power LEDs’ is related to sustainable business practices: energy savings compared to high-pressure sodium lamps (orange-coloured lighting). This saves more than half of the energy.
Another major advantage is that when using LEDs, crops can be better controlled using the different colours in the light. This is in favour of a better growth and a higher quality of the product.